Highlights:
- Novak Djokovic made history on Sunday by winning his 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open.
- Notably, he has now matched Serena Williams’ remarkable record of 23 major titles.
- In a thrilling French Open final, Djokovic emerged victorious with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 7-5 triumph over Casper Ruud.
In the French Open final against Norway’s Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic once again shown his exceptional skill and resilience as he overcame a sluggish start to win his 23rd Grand Slam men’s singles title. Despite having trouble getting into a rhythm at first, Djokovic’s superb performance in a first-set tie-break set the stage for his 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 7-5 victory on Sunday.
With this victory, the 36-year-old Serbian surpassed Rafael Nadal to claim the lead in men’s major victories and made history by being the first person to have at least three victories in each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. Djokovic acknowledged his gratitude and celebrated his accomplishments, remembering his early aspirations of winning Wimbledon and rising to the top of the world rankings. He also urged youngsters to establish their own paths in life in order to have a brighter future
Idemoooo ???#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/6YNsW76vE9
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023
Djokovic expressed his immense gratitude upon securing his 23rd Grand Slam title, stating, “I consider myself extremely fortunate to have achieved this remarkable feat. It is truly incredible. When I was just a seven-year-old, I dreamt of winning Wimbledon and becoming the world’s number one player.”
He further emphasized his appreciation, saying, “I am overwhelmed with gratitude and feel incredibly blessed to be standing here today. I firmly believe that I had the ability to shape my own destiny. To all the young individuals out there, I want to convey that if you aspire to a brighter future, you have the power to make it a reality.”
Only Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam triumphs stand between Djokovic and Serena Williams in terms of major title wins. Djokovic, who has already won Wimbledon seven times, has the chance to match Court’s record there during the upcoming tournament.
Djokovic has won his 23rd Grand Slam and regained the top spot in the world rankings, extending his reputation as one of tennis’ best players. With his support team, which included coach Goran Ivanisevic, wife Jelena, his kids, parents, and NFL star Tom Brady, he joyfully celebrated his victory while rolling flat on his back in celebration.
Fourth seed Casper Ruud, his opponent, had to endure Djokovic’s remarkable talent and record-breaking performance yet another day. Ruud sent his congratulations to Djokovic and highlighted the inspirational role he has played in tennis history.
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With this victory, Djokovic has made substantial progress towards his well-known ambition to win more major championships than Nadal and Federer combined. Djokovic was seen as the favourite despite suffering severe difficulties prior to the French Open, and his dominance throughout the competition validated those perceptions.
Ruud put up a spirited fight at first and tried to push Djokovic, but Djokovic’s experience and coolness allowed him to take control and win in straight sets. The match’s latter moments were decided by Djokovic’s capacity to perform well under pressure and hit big shots when it counted most.